Method of and apparatus for manufacturing closures for containers



Aug. 20, 1929. w. A. STEPHENS 5,60

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING CLOSURES FOR CONTAINERS F IGZ.

Aug. 20, 1929. w. A. STEPHENS 1,725,601

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING CLOSURES FOR CONTAINERS FildJuly 22, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.3. m" 36 47 Ira/war m1. srsms/w.

Patented Aug. 20, 1929.

UNlTED STATES 11,725,501 aren't oFFicE;

WILLIAM ALFRED STEPHENS, LONDON, EIJQLAITD, ASSIGNOR TO THE BRITISH SURESEAL COMPANY LIMITED, F LONDOLI, ENG-LAND.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FUR MAI'IUFACTTJ'RING- CLOSUEES FOR CONTAINERS.

Application filecl July 22, 1927, Serial No. 207,795, and in GreatBritain August 16, 1926.

This invention relates to the manufacture of closure devices forbottles, ars or the like. It is usual practice to utilize as a closurefor a bottle, jar or the like, a closure referred to in the trade as thePhoenix closure which includes a cap (termed in the trade an inner whichis secured to the container with a flanged jointed locking ring (termedin the trade a band) which ongages over the periphery of the cap, thefree edge or the depending edge of the ring being ultimately spun orpressed in undcra shoulder on the container to secure the cap thereon,the ring then being of channel form.

A locking ring is usually stamped out of strip material, and includes aslot at the one end, hereafter termed the tail, cut transversely of thestrip and a tongue cut longitudinally at the other end, hereafterreferred to as the head To form the ring from the strip the latter iscurled until the tongue of the head is hooked into the slot in the tail,then partially uncurled to bring the slot to the root of the tongue, andthe overlapping portions being then pressed together to secure thelinked ends. hen a tongue is raised from the strip the sliding of theslot in a direction for uncurling is opposed by frictional resistanceoccurring by the interlaced relation of the part of the tail of thestrip which, though over the head of the strip is under the tongueraised therefrom, hence small variations occur in the diameter of thefinished product.

The main object of the present invention is to provide means ofexpediting with accuracy the several operations pertaining to thejointing of locking rings.

Another object is to effectthe linking and jointing without uncurlingthe strip at all.

Another object of the invention is to i1nprove the method of feedingstrips to apparatus for opening up the tongues in particular in feedingstrips to automatically operated machines which effect the tongueopening, curling and jointing operations, so that the strips are fedautomatically in quick succession synchronously with the severaloperations thereby assuring a maximum output.

Another object of the invention is to produce a closure of the Phoenixtype in which the band is always tightly embracing the inner Anotherobject of the invention is to construct a unit apparatus in which thestrip blank fron'i which a locking ring is made can be associated with acap or inner in the production of a Phoenix cap by curling and linkingon the cap itself.

in accordance with the present invention a method of jointing the endsof such locking rings consists essentially in opening up and bendingback the tongue through an obtuse angle so that the tip stands up.clearly from the head of the strip and then linking the ends curling thestrip so that the slot in the tail is first disposed over'the tonguetip, and then slidden down to the root of the tongue, thereafter theends are secured by returning the tongue to its pristine position underpressure, whereby it will engage over the tail end of the ring, therebylocking the linked ends together.

By s0 opening up the tongue the subsequent operations, of setting theinner in the jointed ring even ifmanually effected, will be greatlyfacilitated, and in addition, the finished article will not bedistortedto the almost flat elliptical shape so often occur? ringfronithe manual operations of curling and linking. Moreover, the slot is inevery case freely brought to the root of the tongue, hence products ofuniform diameter are obtained.

From the present invention there also evolves a novel method ofassociating a cap and ring, e. g. in making a Phoenix closure,consisting in curling the strip from which the ring is made actually onthe cap and jointing it thereon, the tongue being set back through anobtuse angle as hereinbefore described, and the result of this method isto obtain an extraordinary tight fitting for the ring on the cap, and itmay here be mentioned that in the usual manual operation of setting alocked ring about the cap, it frequently happens that there is not atall a tight fit, due in some measure to the distortion of the ringduring curling and hammering, also to the variation in the entry of thetongue in the slot.

Apparatus for opening up the tongues of strips at an obtuse anglethrough which it is desired to set back the tongue in accordance withthe present invention comprises a slotted platform and an associatedplunger member reciprocal through the slot and set with regard to theplatform at an acute angle corresponding to the slot of the platform andthe plunger member being of a shape to register with the gap in thestrip formed as a result of cutting the tongue, so that as the plungeris projected therethrough the platform turns back and sets the tongue atthe required angle to the strip.

In the accompanying drawings is shown by way of example apparatusembodying the devices hereinbefore referred to connected and operable toas to effect the locking of a band 011 an inner in one continuousmovement from a single control.

Fig. 1 is a plan of the apparatus as a whole;

Fig. 2 is an elevation looking in the direction of the arrow II of Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is an elevation on the line IIIIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an elevation looking in the direction of the arrow IV; showingonly the cap or inner carrier and the operating means therefor;

Fig. 5 is an end View of the cap carrier construction shown in Fig. 4;

' Fig. 6 is a section elevation to an enlarged scale showing theelectro-magnetic means for maintaining strips straight on the platform;

Fig. 7 is an elevation on the line VII VII of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is an end view of the holder.

The apparatus as shown is a complete unit for treating strip blanks toform. them into jointed rings, or for treating strip blanks whilstassociated with caps or inners so as to produce in a complete sequenceof operations a Phoenix closure ready to be ap lied to a container.

The apparatus comprises two vertical supports 1, 2, mounted on anysuitable base or table, not shown, by feet 1, 2 respectively, in whichare formed bearings for a main shaft 3, a transmission shaft 4 and ahollovi shaft 5, the shaft 5 being carried in higher parts 1 2 of thesupports as clearly shown in Fig. 2 the higher part 1 also forming asupport for a timing gear T hereafter re ferred to.

On the shafts 3 are arranged cams 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. The cam 7controls the strip feeding mechanism which includes the bell crank 12formed at its free end as a fork indicated at 13 which straddles on pin1 1 de pending from a slide 15 which latter is movable to and fro alongthe platform 16 as the bell crank 12 is oscillated. The rear part of theslide 15 includes an upstanding abutment 17 for engaging the tails ofthe strips S, as each becomes lowermost of the pile, see Fig. 3,arranged on the platform. The strips S are not included in Fig. 1 forsake of clearness.

As shown, the platform is of rectangular form being carried on astandard 16 and an arm 16 carried by the part 2" of the support 2. Atthe fu'ward end the platform is forked, see Figs. 1 and 7, and withinthe fork is lodged the top end of a plunger barrel 18 bored for theprojection therefrom of a plunger 19, see Fig. 6, which is operated whenthe head of the strip comes over the plunger and turns back the tongueto the desired angle.

This part of the apparatus which sets the tongue at the desired angle tothe strip may be used separately for expediting the usual subsequenthand operations of curling, linking, and jointing locking rings, ashereinbefore explained.

A further increase in speed of operation may be obtained by increasingthe length of the slot so as to give a larger limit for the tongue tipto meet and enter the slot, thereby facilitating the linking operation.

Now in order that tongue turning gear may be supplied automatically andso that a maximum output obtains, the strips are arranged in piles overthe platform, the tails being at a higher level than the heads and thetongue of each strip overlying the head of the strip next above. To thisend there is provided at the rear part of the platform 16 an inclinedsupport 20 for the tails of the strips S, see Fig. 3. The arrangement ofthis support 20 is such that when the abutment 17 of the slide 15 is inthe rearward limit position a strip S is engaged by the abutment, thehead of the strip be ing juxtaposed to a gate member 21. Thesuperimposed strips are arranged in overlapping relation with all theirtails resting Y on the support 20 and their heads underlapping thetongues of the next undermost strips.

The cam 7 which operates the bell crank 12 has two protuberances inorder that there shall be a two-step progression of the slide 15. Thefirst step places the head of the undermost strip over the plunger 19,the gate member 21 having been automatically lifted sufliciently topermit this progress of the lowermost strip.

The position of the abutment 17 when the head of the strip is over theplunger, is indicated at 17, Fig. 3, and the second step offected by thecam 7 causes the abutment 17 f to move to the position 17 as a result ofwhich the head of the lowermost strip is pushed clear from the platform,this new position of the strip being clearly indicated in Fig. 6 by thereference S. The overhanging head of the strip is engaged by aspring-pressed finger 22 on a rotatable holder H hereafter referred to,which in rotating withdraws the strip from the platform. The strip inbeing dragged from the platform by the holder H drags with it byfriction the strip next above, indicated at S Fig. 6, but as the gate 21has been lowered the strip S is arrested and then takes up the positionoriginally held by the strip S. In

the meantime the abutment 17 is returned to the initial position readyto push forward strip S The operation of the gate 21 is preferablycontrolled by trip gear including an abutment 23 indicated in Fig. 2 anddiagrammatically indicated in Fig. 6, arranged on the holder H and a lug2 f adjustably disposed on an arm 25 to which the gate is secured, thearm being pivoted at 26 on the platform.

eferring new to the means for curling and linking the strip after it hasleft the platform, and which includes the holder H. The controllingmembers of this mechanism are the cams 8, 9, and the timing gear T, theholder H is mounted at one end of the hollow shaft 5 and is disposed inalignment with the platform so that its finger 22 can, as aforesaid,engage and pull a strip from the platform, and it will be noticed thatthe arrangement of the holder is such that the platform is nottangentially disposed with regard to the holder. This assures the headof the strip striking the bevelled tip of the linger 22 therebydepressing the finger until the slot behind the tongue is in register,at which movement the finger projects therethrough to pull the strip asaforesaid. lncidentally this arrangement imposes a tension in the stripas it is being curled round by the holder. At high speed, however, a further braking device such as 59 hereafter referred to is employed.

The platform is provided at its ends with plates 27 indicated clearly inFigs. 2, (3 and 7 which overlap the bifurcated ends of the platform andwith them form guides within which the edges of the strip are held whilethe plunger 19 turns back the tongue and are constrained to pass inleaving the platform. These plates 27 may be constructed and the plungerso formed as to cut out the tongue from a blank strip as well as turningit back.

Alternatively, the blanks may be scored to demark the tongue, and thenthe tongue can be freed and turned back by a plunger operating withplate 27 as aforesaid.

Now in order to mechanically assist the engagement of the strip on thefinger 22 and to effect the linking of the strip ends, two spaced guideplates 28 and 28 including cam faces 29 are arranged about the holder,the cam faces merge into an internal circular periphery disposed inproximity to the path which will be taken by the head of the strip asimpelled by the movement of the holder,

thereby tending to prevent displacen'ient of the head of the strip fromthe finger and to constrain the head of a strip leaving the platform onto the finger 22. This arrangement is clearly shown in Fig. (3.

It will be clear therefore, that the function of the holder H in theform shown, is to pull the head of the strip round through a circularpath in order to eventually bring the head beneath the tail in orderthat the slot in the tail can be pressed over the tongue in the head. Itis convenient therefore to adopt a holder of drum-like form to includethe required anvil surface to support the ends of the strip during thepressing and hammering operation; such a holder acts as a former for thestrip and prevents sagging between the head and the platform.

The plates 28, 28, are secured together at the bottom by screws anddistance pieces, not shown, but in their upper corners the plates areused as supports for pivotal axes of the tongue opening plunger barrell8, and the pressing and hammering means indicated 18 and 86respectively, in particular Fig. 3.

By pivoting the barrel of the plunger and providing it with a slottedquadrant 30, the position of the barrel can be angularly set byloosening and then tighten g the nut member 31 as will be well unde'ood, the plunger is operated by a pair of cams 32 on the shaft 4:acting with bowls 83 carried on trunnion members 34, connected to theplunger and passing through a slot in the barrel.

The strip having been pulled by the holder 1 through 360, that is untilthe head is beneath the tall, the earns 29 on the guides 28 againoperate and this time function to push tie tail on to the head so thatthe desired tongue and slot engagement results. Then to press the twoends of the strip together to form a jointed locking ring, the bellcrank including forked arm 35 and arm 35 pivoted at 36 in the guideplates, provided. The arm 35 descends through the operation of the cam 9which rocks the lever 23'? about its pivot 38 thereby causing an upwardmovement of the rod 40 and a corresponding rocking of the lever arm 35*.The distance between the arms of the fork is such that they straddle thetongue of the strip and finger 22 of the holder H.

It will be noted that the arms'Z-SS have each a concave portion 4-1 ofan arcuate form which is concentric with the holder when the lever arms35 press against the linked ends of the strip. Whilst the ends are thusheld. pressed together the cam 8 rocks lever 42 about its pivot 48 andby reason of the link connection at 4-1 causes the bell crank 45 torock. At the end of the bell crank is a link 416 which is pivotallyconnected by a second link 47 itself pivoted between the pres' arms 35.It will. be observed therefore that with the lever arm in the pressingpas.- tion the pivotal axis thereon of the link 47 will be juxtaposed tothe root of the strip and therefore that as the lever d5 rocks a resultof the cam action referred to the resultant movement of the link t6causes the llli link 47 to move up against the upstanding tongue andthen in a somewhat kneeling movement press over and hammer down thetongue.

The operation of linking, pressing and hammering the strip is thenfinished and a jointed locking ring is formed. It then remains to ejectthe strip from the hold-er H and this is effected by the cam. 6 throughthe bell crank 48 which operates a rod 49 passing through the hollowshaft 5 and the holder H and terminating in a. plate 50 havingperipheral claws 51 for the reception of which the holder H is slottedso that in fact the claws form part of the periphery of the holder, theclaws being shouldered as indicated at 52 against which the strip abutswhen disposed about the holder so that the operation of the cam 6, asaforesaid, effects a peripheral ejection of the jointed ring from theholder.

The rotation of the holder H is effected from the timing gear T througha pinion 53 carried by the hollow shaft 5 and the ar 'angement is suchthat the holder is stationary during the pressing and hammering andejection operations.

It may here be mentioned also that while the holder is stationary andjust prior to ejection a strip is fed forward by slide 15 through thesecond progressive step from the platform 16 to the spring pressedfinger 22 of the holder so that the new strip over lies the curled stripand is ready to be engaged by finger 22 immediately the curled strip haspassed over the finger a result of the ejector action.

The timing gear T aforesaid, which regulates the rotation of the holderH, includes a toothed timing wheel 54:, on which is coaxially mounted adiametrical arm 55 carrying at one end a ratchet 56 preferably mountedfor adjustment e. g. on an eccentric bush, engaging the timing wheelteeth, this timing wheel being in mesh with the pinion 53 associatedwith the holder H. The other end of the diametrical arm 55 is adjustablyconnected by a pitman or connecting rod 57 to a crank member e. g. disc58, on the trans mission shaft 4, or driven synchronously therewith, thearrangement being such that as the crank member 58 rotates it oscillatesthe arm on the timing wheel 54 and causes the ratchet 56 carried thereonto alternatively engage the teeth of the timing wheel and to slidethereover. Each oscillation of this radius arm 55 is of an amplitude of90 so that there are four revolutions of the holder H for each singlerevolution of the timing gear, and at the end of each revolution theholder is in such position to correctly present the tongue and slot of astrip curled thereon to the pressing and hamering gear.

However, to prevent overrun of the holder a mechanically operatedfriction brake, e. g.

if of the holder H (see Fig. 2) disposed to receive a pivoted latch orcatch indicated at 61, Figs. 2 and 6, retractable from the slotautomatically at the commencement of the next rotary movement.

The cams hereinbefore referred to for operating the pressing andhammering devices are preferably set so that the pressing and hammeringis effected at the same time as the feeding device moves a strip forwardto have the tongue opened back, the holder at this time beingstationary, and the second movement of the strip which finally disposesits head over the spring pressed linger on the holder is simultaneouswith the ejection of the previously jointed ring, and in between theseoperations the holder rotates to effect the curling and linkingoperations.

It will be noted that the shaft 3 is connected to the shaft 4 forexample, with pinions 62, 63, so that the shaft 4 is driven at the samespeed as the shaft 3. It follows, therefore, that the control of thespeed of the shaft 3 controls all the operations of the machine.

The apparatus described is suitable for the formation of a Phoenixclosure and for other forms of closures including a cap and ring byvarying the form of the holder as will be readily understood. It ismerely ne -essary to lodge the cap or inner about the holder and thenthe strip may be curled about the cap.

To this end there may be arranged opposite the holder H a tilted carrierC of U shape normally disposed at the end of an in clined chute 64 downwhich the inners or caps are fed for successive reception by the carrierC.

The caps are fed to the holder so as to be lodged within the guide plate28 and against the ejector plate 50 against which it is held by capfeeding plunger 67 (hereafter referred to), see Fig. 8.

In this position the cap is retained in desired relation with the anvilsurface of holder H so that a strip is curled about the cap, the latterbeing located from one edge of the strip so as to be ready for treatingin Hanging machine, e. g. a dial feed press.

Although a full description of the carrier and its pertaining parts isherein given for purposes of full explanation, it will be understoodthat the carrier constructed and operating as herein described is thesubject of co-pending patent application Serial No. 207,796 for aninvention entitled Cap feeding mechanism for closures of bottles,containers or the like.

The carrier is provided with a sleeve 65 in which is slidably disposed asecond tube crank 11 in exactly the same way as the ejector rod -49before referred to.

The cam gear is such that the inner sleeve 66 first moves the carrier Cup to the holder H. At this moment the effort of placing the cap on theholder compresses the spring 68 on the axial rod 67 with the result thatthe rod moves onward and centrally taps the cap on to the holder H sothat the cap lies flatly thereon, it being understood that in thequiescent position of the rod it is withdrawn by spring 68 actingbetween sleeve 66 and abutment 69 from the face of the carrier.

Associated and movable synchronously with the carrier is a cut offmember, e. g. a plate 70 which, as the carrier moves to the holder, cutsoff the chute until the carrier has returned to position to receive thenext cap.

in front of the carrier C is a guard plate 71 which prevents capsjumping out as they roll in from the chute 64, the plate being pivotedat 7 2, and the carrier is provided with a finger 73, which as thecarrier moves forward displaces the guard plate to the position, shownin dot and pick lines Fig. 5, where it is out of the path of advance tothe holder H.

lne guard plate is conveniently provided with wings 74 which straddlethe holder H and form with the plate a hopper device for guidingfinished closures ejected from the holder H down through a conduit 75(Fig. 1).

At the side of chute 64 is a spring controlled arm 76 (Fig. 4-) pivotedat 77 which operates as acselector by reason of a pin 78 at itsextremity intercepting the foremost cap in the chute and holding it backclear of the carrier C thereby definitely separating the cap in thecarrier from those following. Such arrangement elminating thepossibility of edge engagement of the two caps as the carrier movesforward probably resulting in tipping of the cap in the carrier owing tothe frictional adhesion by reason of the rough edges.

To permit movement of the caps in the chute 6% to the carrier C, cam 10is mounted on shaft 3 and is designed to lift the lever 76 through theagency of the abutment 80 as soon as the carrier has moved forwardthereby permitting the next cap to roll to "the cut off plate 70 readyto enter the carrier when it is again retracted back to alignment withthe chute 64-.

in practice caps vary as regards construction, and the strips vary asregards width. In order to accommodate different types of caps the frontface of the holder may be dished, or the holder may be hollow and haveits engaging face constituted'by a movable ring or rings so that an end.face may be formed on the holder to correspond to the cap which isgoing to be used, and as regards the accommodation of strips of varyingWidth, or wherein the tongue and slot are not centrally disposed, therear face of the holder may be provided with a movable flange adjustableon the holder, .or it may be substituted by other flanged members so asto act as a stop or guide for the strip on that side of the holder.

Electromagnetic means may also be included, as shown for example inFigs. 2, 3 and 6, but omitted from Fig. 1 for sake of clearness, formaintaining the strips flat on the platform when being pushed along bythe abutment 17.

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 6 the poles 81 are arranged beneath theplatform and energized from the coil 82 through suitable circuitscontrolled by the rotation of the shaft 3. The platform, 16 may also beprovided with an eliminator plate 83 clearly shown in Fig. 6 cut away inthe centre (for the passage thereunder of strip tongues) leaving prongswhich are of a; length to engage, for example, the top strip when threeoverlapped strips attempt to pass thereunder. With such an arrangementwhen one strip has arrived at the gate the third will be held up by theeliminator plate 83.

84 and 85 (Fig. 1) are auxiliary supports for the shafts 3 and st.

Generally speaking, and as already indicated, it is preferred to operateall the members by cam actuating gear, the rectraction of the differentmembers being assured by springs, or equivalent resilient means, theoperation of the several parts being efiected from a mechanical motor,by manual power through suitable gearing, or by magnetic orelectro-magnetic or fluid control. Various modifications, however, maybe effected without departing from the spirit of the invention, forinstance, the ejection and the feeding of the cap and strips may beeffected by a magnetic or electromagnetic appae ratus.

Electrical circuits may also be included to stop the machine when thesupply of strips or caps has run out. Conveniently, the centre of thecap holder H or the ejector plate 50 may form one terminal of such analarm circuit and the axial plunger of the carrier as the other, so thatif the two meet as the result of the absence of a cap the circuit iscompleted. To this end the centre of holder H may be provided with aninsulating bushing within which is the terminal lying just behind theholder face so that they, in proper time, arrive at the holder so that astrip can be jointed around a cap and. ejected in locked association,all automatically effected, thereby, enormously e);- pediting theproduction of these articles in comparison with the output at presentobtained by the existing usual hand operations.

lVhat I claim is 1. A method of jointing the ends of a strip to form alocking ring of a closure for containers, which consists in providingthe strip near one end with a tongue, and near the other end with aslot, setting back the tongue through an obtuse angle, and linking theends by curling the strip until the slot passes over the tip of thetongue to the root, and returning the tongue to its pristine positionunder pressure.

2. A method of associating a cap and ring to form a closure for acontainer consisting in providing the strip from which the ringis madewith a tongue near one end, and with a slot near the other end, settingback through an obtuse angle the tongue of the strip, linking the endsof the strip by curling the strip on the cap until the slot passessubstantially to the root of the tongue, then returning the tongue topristine position under pressure.

3. Apparatus for turning back throiwh an obtuse angle the tongue in thehead or a strip blank including in the tail end a slot, in preparationfor curling the strip into a jointed locking ring for a closure of acontainer, comprising in combination a slotted platform, a plunger setat an acute angle to the platform corresponding to the said obtuseangle, means for reciprocating the plunger through the slot in theplatform and guiding means for the strip adapted to hold the strip tothe platform during the operation of the plunger.

4. Apparatus for turning back through an obtuse angle the tongue in thehead of a strip blank including in the tail end a slot, in preparationfor curling the strip into a j ointed locking ring for a closure of acontainer, comprising in combination a slotted plat form, a plunger setat an acute angle to the platform corresponding to the said obtuseangle, means for reciprocating the plunger through the slot in theplatform, guiding means for the strip adapted to hold the strip to theplatform during the operation of the plunger, automatic means operatingin two steps for feeding a strip along the platform through the guidesto present the head thereof to the plunger and after the plunger isretracted for further pushing the strip until the head overhangs theplatform, and means for engaging and Withdrawing each strip as it ispushed to the overhanging position.

5. Apparatus for turning back through an obtuse angle the tongue in thehead of a strip blank including in the tail end a slot, and for curlingthe strip into a jointed locking ringfor a closure of a container,comprising in combination, a slotted platform, a plunger, set at anacute angle to the platform corresponding to, the said obtuse angle,means for reciprocating the plunger through the slot in the platform,guiding means for the strip adapted to hold the strip to the platformduring the operation of the plunger, automatic means operating in twosteps for feeding a strip along the platform and through the guides topresent the head thereof to the plunger and for pushing the strip afterthe plunger is retracted so that the head overhan s the latform rotarmeans of the diameter of the finished ring for engaging the overhanginghead of the strip for withdrawing the strip from the platform, and forcurling the strip until the ends are linked, and pressure means forreturning the tongue to pristine position.

6. Apparatus for turning back through an obtuse angle the tongue in thehead of a strip 1 blank including in the tail end a slot, and

for curing the strip into a jointed locking ring, comprising incombination a slotted Jlatforin a olun 'er set at an acute an le to theplatform corresponding to the said obtuse angle, means for reciprocatingthe plunger through the slot in the platform, guiding means for thestrip adapted to hold the strip to the platform during the operation ofthe plunger, automatic means operating in two steps for feeding a stripalong the platform and through the guides to present the head to theplunger and for pushing the strip so that the head is free of theplatform after the plunger has operated, a rotatable drum like former ofthe diameter of the finished ring, including a spring pressed fingerprojecting from its cylindrical face, means for deflecting theoverhanging head of the strip on to and down the finger, means forrotating said former until the ends are linked and pressure means forreturning the tongue to pristine position.

7. A method of turning back through an obtuse angle, in automaticsuccession, the tongues in the heads of strip blanks, each including inthe tail end a slot consisting in arranging the strips in a pile, thetongues of each strip overlying the head of the strip next above,sliding the lowermost strip forward, thereby frictionally dragging andseparating the next lowermost strip from the pile, turning back throughan obtuse angle the tongue of the forward strip, pulling clear of thepile each forward strip after the tongue has been turned back, andsimultaneously sliding forward the next lowermost strip, whereby all thestrips in the pile are similarly treated in automatic succession fromthe bottom of the pile.

8. Apparatus for turning back through an obtuse angle the tongue in thehead of each strip blank including in the tail end a slot, of a stack ofsuperposed blanks, and for curling each strip into a jointed lockingring for a closure of a container, comprising in combination a slottedplatform, a plunger set at an acute angle to the platform correspondingto the said obtuse angle, means for recipro eating the plunger throughthe slot in the platform, means for holding the strip to the platformduring the operation of the plunger, automatic means operating in twosteps for feeding the lowermost strip along the platform to present thehead to the plunger and for pushing the lowermost strip so that the headoverhangs the platform after the plunger is retracted, a gate membermovable relatively to the platform forming an abutment for the head ofthe next lo'wern'mst strip, means for lifting the gate preparatory tothe first movement of the feeding means and for returning the gateinnnediately thereafter, rotatory means of the diaimter of the finishedring for engaging the head of a strip overhanging from the platform, andfor withdrawing and curling the strip until the ends are linked, andpressure means for returning the tongue to pristine position.

9. Apparatus for turning back through an. obtuse angle in auton'iatiesuccession tongues in the heads of strip blanks, each including in thetail end a slot and for curling them into jointed locking rings forclosures for containers, comprising in combination a slotted platform, aplunger set at an acute angle to the platform corresponding to the saidobtuse angle, means for reciprocating the plunger through the slot inthe platform, guiding means for the strip adapted to hold the stripheads to the platform during the operation of the plunger, a support forthe tail ends of the strips at a level above the platform, automaticmeans operating in two steps for feeding the lowermost strip along theplatform and thro h the guides to present the head to the plunger andfor pus ing the strip after the plunger is retracted so that the headoverhangs the platform, said feeding means including a slide movableorer the platform and an upstanding abutment for ei'igaging the tailsotthe strips as they fall successively from said support, a gate membermovable relatively to t 1e platform forming an abutment for the head ofthe next lowermost strip, and means for lifting the gate preparatory tothe first movement of the feeding means and for returning the gateimmeeiately thereafter, and rotatory curling means of the diameter ofthe jointed ring for engaging each (Wei-hanging strip head.

10. Apparatus for jointing the ends of a locking ring comprising incombination means for turning back through an obtuse angle the tongue ofthe strip from which the ring is to be made, including a slottedplatform, a plunger set at an acute angle to the platform co respondingto the said obtuse angle, means for reciprocating the plunger throughthe slot in the platform, guidin means for the strip adapted to hold thestrip to the platform during the operation of the plunger, curling meansadapter to move the head of the strip through a cireular path of adiameter equal to the jointed ring until the head is disposed beneaththe tail and the ends linked by the tongue entering the slot therein,pressing means obtaining a close association of the linked head and thetail, and men s for returning thetongue to pristine position over thetail whilst the close association is maintained to finally lock the endsof the strip.

11. Apparatus for jointing the ends of locking rings, comprising incombination a slotted platform, a plunger set at a prede termined acuteangle to the platform, means for reciprocating the plunger through theslot in the platform, guiding means for the strip adapted to hold thestrip to the platform during the operation of the plunger, automaticmeans operating in two steps for feeding a strip along the platform topresent the head to the plunger and for pushing the strip so that thehead overhangs the platform after the plunger has operated, a rotatabledrum like former of a diameter of the jointed ring including a springpressed finger projecting from its cylindrical face, means fordeflecting the overhanging head of the strip on to the finger, presserarms for engaging the cylindrical face of the former locally to thelinger and to each side thereof, and a presser arm for simultaneouslyengaging the intermediate area including tie linger.

12. Apparatus for jointing the ends of locking rin s comprising incombination a slotted platform, a plunger set at a predetermined acuteangle to the platform, means for reciprocating the plunger through theslot in the platform, guiding means for the strip adapted to hold thestrip to the peat form during the operation of the plun er, automaticmeans operating in two steps iojr feeding a strip along the platform topresent the head to the plunger and for push the strip so that the headowrhangs the platform after the plunger has operated, a rotatable drumlike former of the diameter of the, jointed riu. including a springpressed linger projecting from its cylindrical face, means fordeflecting the overhang ing head of the strip on to the linger, a belllit) crank lever, a forked arm to said lever formed to straddle thefinger and lie on the cylindrical surface of the former local thereto, alink member pivoted within the fork, and means for moving said linkabout its pivot on to the cylindrical surface so as to return the tongueto pristine position and depress the finger.

13. Apparatus for jointing the ends of locking rings, comprising incombination a slotted platform, a plunger set at a predetermined acuteangle to the platform, means for reciprocating the plunger through theslot in the platform, guiding means for he strip adapted to hold thestrip to the platform during the operation of the plunger, automaticmeans operating in two steps for feedin a strip along the pie form topresent the head to the plunger and for pushing the strip so that thehead overhangs the platform after the plunger has operated, a rotatabledrum like former of the diameter of the jointed ring, a spring pressedfinger projecting from its cylindrical face, guide plates in closeproximity to the former including *am faces adapted to deflect theoverhanging head of the strip on to the finger, presser arms forengaging the cylindrical face of the former locally to the finger and toeach side thereof, a presser arm for simultaneously engaging theintermediate area. including the linger, and ejector, means includingabutments operating on the edge of the jointed locking ring.

1%. Apparatus for associating a cap and locking ring to form a closurefor a coi'itainer comprising in combination a rotatory former for thestrip of the diameter of the cap and means for disposing the capconcentric with the former with its flange juxtaposed. thereagainst,whereby the strip is curled by the former on the cap flange.

15. Apparatus for associating a cap and locking ring having its tongueturned back through an obtuse angle to form a closure for a containercomprising in combination curling means operable about the flange of thecap whereby the strip curled on the cap flange until the ends are linkedand pres sure means for securing the linked ends and for returning thetongue of the strip to pris tine position.

16. Apparatus for associating a cap and locking ring to form a closurefor a cont-ainer comprising in con'ibination plunger means for settingback the tongue of the strip tl rough an obtuse angle, feeding means forpushing the strip to the plunger and then, after the plunger hasoperated, on to a position in which the head of the strip overhangs theplatform, rotatory means of the diameter of the cap for engaging theoverhanging strip and means for holding the cap concentric with therotatory means and with its flange juxtaposed thereto, whereby the stripis curled by the rotatory means on the flange of the cap.

17. A unit apparatus for making closures for containers comprising incombination means for turning back through an obtuse angle the tongue onthe head of a strip blank, rotatable means for pulling the strip by itshead in a circular path of the diameter of the cap of the closure,plunger means for disposing and retaining a cap within the circularpath, means for engaging the tongue and slot of the strip when curledabout the cap, means for pressing the ends of the strip together andmeans for returning the tongue to pristine position.

18. A unit apparatus for making closures for containers comprising incombination means for turning back through an obtuse angl the tongue inthe head of a strip blank, rotatable means for pulling the strip by itshead in a circular path of the diameter of the cap of the closure,consisting of a drum like former including a spring pressed plungeradapted to engage in the gap behind the tongue of the strip andconstraining means for deflecting the tail of the strip on to the tonguethereof and for retaining the strip in close association with the formerthereby linking the ends of the strip, means axially reciprocable to andfrom the former for disposing a cap within the circular path, mechanismfor intermittently rotating the former so that it is stationary when acap is fed thereto, presser means associated with the former ror lockingthe linked ends of the strip, means for ejecting the closure from theformer when the latter is stationary, and means for simultaneouslyfeeding a successive strip to the former.

19. Apparatus for making closures com prising in combination a drum likeformer on which the strip blank is curled and to which a cap 'is held, aplunger carried by the former to engage in the gap behind the tongue ofthe strip, spaced guide plates (one to each side of the plunger)including cam faces for constraining a strip head on to the plunger andfor retaining the strip in close association with the former, pressermeans operating with the former for locking the ends of the stri meansfor intermittently rotating the former so that it is stationary aftereach curling movement and ejector means operative when the former isstationary.

20. Apparatus for associating a cap and locking ring to form a closurefor a container comprising in combination a rotatory former for thestrip of the same diameter as the cap and means for disposing the capconcentric with the former with its flange juxtaposed thereagainst,whereby the strip is curled by the former on the cap flange, and ejectormeans including abutments operating on the edge of the jointed lockingrin 21. A method of associating a cap and strip towards one anotherthroughout such locking ring in the formation of a closure curlingoperation until the securing means for a container, comprising the stepsof are linked, and securing the ends of the 1 forming complementarysecuring means at strip.

5 the ends of the strip from Which the ring In testimony whereof I aflixmy signature.

is made, curling the strip actually on the cap itself, positively movingthe ends of the WILLIAM ALFRED STEPHENS.

